The origins of the Brigidine Sisters of Farfa can be traced back to 1807 when a young woman named Mary Burke left her home in Kilcock, Ireland to join the Sisters of St. Brigid in Tullow. There she was inspired to establish a new community of Brigidine Sisters in Ireland and, with the help of a group of local women, she founded the first Brigidine convent in the town of Tullow in 1807.
From there, the Brigidine Sisters spread rapidly across Ireland and beyond, establishing convents and mission stations in places as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. In 1922, the congregation established a mission in Farfa, a small town in central Italy, where they have been based ever since.
The Brigidine Sisters of Farfa are committed to serving the poor and marginalized, especially women and children, and their work includes running schools, orphanages, and other social services. They also work to promote social justice and human rights through advocacy and campaigning, and they are active in interfaith dialogue and ecumenical initiatives.
One of the most notable accomplishments of the Brigidine Sisters of Farfa in recent years has been their work with refugees and migrants. In 2013, the congregation established a hospitality house in Rome to provide temporary accommodation and support to asylum seekers and refugees who had arrived in Italy by sea.
The hospitality house, known as Casa di Accoglienza Brigidina, has since become a beacon of hope for thousands of refugees who have passed through its doors. The Brigidine Sisters provide assistance with legal, medical, and social services, as well as offering emotional and spiritual support to those who are often in desperate need.
The work of the Brigidine Sisters of Farfa is a testament to their faith and their commitment to serving others, and it is an inspiration to all those who seek to live a life of service and compassion. Through their work, they embody the teachings of Saint Brigid, who is known for her dedication to the poor, her love of , and her commitment to social justice.
Today, the Brigidine Sisters of Farfa continue to carry out their mission in Italy and beyond. They are inspired by the example of their foundress, Mary Burke, and by the thousands of Brigidine Sisters who have served the Church and the world over the past two centuries.
As they look to the future, the Brigidine Sisters of Farfa remain committed to living out their charism of service and compassion, and to working for a world where love, justice, and peace prevail. They are a shining example of the power of faith to transform lives and to bring hope to all those who are in need.